Lionel Messi’s double helped Barcelona overcome 10-man Valencia in a thrilling clash at Camp Nou to keep the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The Blagurana started off playing quick exciting football, with Luis Suarez seeing a chance saved well by Alves, while Javier Mascherano, who hasn’t scored a goal for the club since joining in 2010 fired a shot wide.

Messi nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute after good work by Suarez but Fabian Orellana blocked his effort on the line.

At the other end Marc-Andre ter Stegen pulled out a fine stop to keep out a vicious Carlos Soler strike, with Valencia looking lively when they got the chance to counter.

Neymar was denied a penalty when Joao Cancelo shoved him in the Valencia area and just a couple of minutes later the visitors were ahead.

Munir broke through from Diego Alves’s goal-kick but Ter Stegen forced the ball behind for a corner—which Eliaquim Mangala headed home in the 29th minute.

Just six minutes later Barcelona were level, when Neymar’s quick throw caught Los Che’s defence napping and Suarez tucked home to equalise.

Messi scored twice as Barcelona moved within two points of Real Madrid (Image: REUTERS)

An exciting first half was taken to an even more thrilling level before the break, when Mangala dragged down Suarez in the area and was sent off, with Messi covering the penalty.

But one minute later and 10-man Valencia were level again, with Jose Gaya breaking and Munir tucking home his cross.

Neymar nearly sent Barcelona back ahead after the break before Messi did, slamming home Mascherano’s pass at the near post with his right foot.

They created several more chances and Andre Gomes eventually added a fourth against his former side, with the win taking them two points behind Madrid at the top, having played a game more than their arch-rivals.

Here are five things we learned…

Eliaquim Mangala scores the opener (Image: AFP)

Mangala celebrates with his team-mates (Image: AFP)

1. Messi beats Alves, again

Lionel Messi won his battle with Diego Alves yet again, with the Valencia goalkeeper one of his ‘favourite victims’ to translate a Spanish phrase.

When Messi smashed in his penalty and then Barcelona’s third, they were his 20th and 21st goals goal against the Brazilian stopper, in his 17th appearance against him.

Seven of those were scored against him when the goalkeeper played at Almeria and the rest in his time with Los Che.

Alves tried to intimidate Messi ahead of the Argentine’s last minute penalty when these teams clashed in October, but the No 10 dispatched it to earn Barcelona a 3-2 win that day.

As well as beating Alves again, the goals took Messi to 41 for the season in 40 games, seeing him hit the milestone of 40 strikes in all club competitions for the eighth consecutive season.

Luis Suarez equalises (Image: AFP)

Suarez celebrates (Image: AFP)

2. Bad news for Barcelona full-backs

Jordi Alba has been a regular in the Barcelona team for nearly five years but when Luis Enrique has a full squad to choose from, he now doesn’t make it into the team.

That’s because the new 3-4-3 formation uses three centre-backs. Alba has performed in the left of the three on a couple of occasions, and to a reasonable standard, but playing Samuel Umtiti there suits Barcelona better.

It’s bad news too for the other full-backs at the club, especially Lucas Digne, because he’s behind Alba in the pecking order too.

Sergi Roberto can play in midfield, while Aleix Vidal, although currently injured, would work well on the right side of the attack in the role Rafinha is currently playing.

Of course, when Barcelona appoint their new coach everything could change again, but for now the wide defenders are in an uncomfortable position.

Mangala gives away a penalty and is sent off (Image: AFP)

Messi scores from the spot (Image: AFP)

3. Munir El Haddadi shows his mettle

Barcelona sent Munir El Haddadi on loan to Valencia at the start of the season, not believing he was capable of playing the fourth-striker role at the club, behind Messi, Neymar and Suarez.

Instead they splashed out big on Paco Alcacer, from Valencia, who has spent much of the season looking on glumly from the bench.

Meanwhile Munir has benefitted from regular game time further down Spain’s east coast and now looks like he would be handy to have back at Barcelona, particularly given he can play in the wide positions as well as the middle.

He netted Valencia’s second goal here, not celebrating so as not to upset the fans of his parent club—just as he refused to celebrate when he notched against Barcelona in the first match these sides played this season.

Messi beats Aymen Abdennour before scoring his second (Image: AFP)

Messi celebrates his second (Image: AFP)

4. Mangala not finding it easier in La Liga

Manchester City bought him for an eyewatering figure from porto that could even rise to £42 million, but after two disastrous seasons in the Premier League he was shipped off to Valencia on loan.

The player has not enjoyed himself this season despite being a regular fixture in the side and just when it seemed his luck was turning here, everything fell to pieces again.

Mangala headed in the opening goal, rising well to convert Dani Parejo’s corner, but then was booked before seeing a straight red card as he dragged down Suarez in the penalty area.

It looks like City will never get value on their expensive mishap of an investment.

Neymar in action at the Nou Camp (Image: AFP)

Neymar controls the ball (Image: AFP)

5. Umtiti’s continues good luck charm role

Barcelona were upended by Deportivo La Coruna last weekend, and although Neymar’s absence played a part, so did defender Samuel Umtiti’s.

Now Barcelona have won every one of the 17 league games in which he has featured, while they earned victories in just two of 11 when he has not.

He is enjoying a sensational first season at Camp Nou and is a regular on the biggest nights, with Luis Enrique trusting him implicitly.

That’s not to say he hasn’t had the odd off night, but that’s only natural as a 23-year-old and you have to imagine he will be a fundamental part of this Barcelona defence for a decade to come.

Andre Gomes celebrates scoring after being set up by Neymar (Image: AFP)

Gomes is congratulated by Gerard Pique (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

PLAYER RATINGS

Barcelona

Ter Stegen 6 - Made a very smart save to keep Carlos Soler at bay, had no chance with Valencia’s two goals.

Mascherano 6 - Caught out a few times at the back but enjoys going forward in his new role as a semi-centre-back, semi-right-back, setting up Messi’s second goal.

Pique 7 - Excellent defending to stop Munir El Hadaddi notching his second of the night, staying calm while the youngster ran at him, while never losing track of the forward.

Umtiti 7 - 17 wins from 17 games with him in the side in La Liga. Confident, composed and wise beyond his 23 years, always willing to step up to cut out a ball even in risky scenarios.

Rakitic 5 - Should have done better from the corner that Eliaquim Mangala headed home for Valencia’s opener. Didn’t offer a lot during the game, hooked for Sergi Roberto.

Busquets 6 - Not at the level he has shown recently, but helped Barcelona control the game in the second half when they were playing with a man more.

Iniesta 8 - Pulled the strings in midfield, as he adapts to his role on the left of the diamond. Some good shielding of the ball under heavy pressure to buy team-mates time to make runs, which he then sought out with his usual accuracy.

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Andres Iniesta dribbles with the ball (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Messi 9 (MOTM) - Rammed home a penalty in the first half and then caught out the goalkeeper with a strike at the near post for a brace. Key in creating many more chances which went begging too.

Rafinha 4 - Ineffective on the right-wing, not as alert as he should have been on a couple of occasions, with his team-mates operating on higher planes of thought. Went off for Andre Gomes.

Suarez 9 - One of his best games this season, buzzing around like a wasp, upsetting defenders. Scored Barcelona’s first goal and earned the penalty for the second. Stabbed wide with an open goal though in the second half.

Neymar 8 - Came extremely close to scoring on several occasions, denied by some fine Diego Alves saves, the woodwork, and a little inaccuracy. A livewire who made the night hell for Martin Montoya.